The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1887-05-20
"Realy, Maud, that is too

tea with us."
but if he should burn the house
down smoking them?' anXously Sug-
gGstcd her mother.
"Weil, perhaps ii is safer to give him
something to use his matches with, an
sacred Maud, with maStCrly Strok
of logic. "And they always do have
Matches" she concluded indefinitely.
Her reasoning carried the day, so the
cigars went up and the rope came down,
for this was point on which Maud was
firm. She had no intention Of leaving
that rope in their bnrGlarlous visitor
possession
The evening waned, and still there
was no sign of Peters return. The
two ladies did not dream OF sleeping,
I but kept watch throughout the night
in the room adjoining that Of their priS-
Oncr. bracing themselves with strong
tea for their task 1t was weary work,
however, and the minutes crept slowly
into the small hours.
The hall clock had Just struck the
quarter before two, when the silence
of the house was disturbed by a little
sound which seemed preternaturally
loud to their strained ears. Mrs. Esta-
brook sat erect to listen, while Maud
turned up the glimmering lamp.
Again came the sound, slight but dis
tinct. scratch, scratch-file, file.
''Maud, what is that noise?" said
Mrs Estabrook, with the calmnesS Of
despair Maud declined to commit her
self prematurcly.
Maud" said her mother again,
its Gown at the piazza window. It's
its 4 confederate of that man in
there! Oh, don't tell me! l bnOsOE
Maud frowned thoughtfully. Her
mothers idea seemed only too plausible.
Hell get in and let the other one
out" pursued Mrs. Estabrook, breath
lesSlyi land then they'll 60 through
the Ouse, and rob and murder us all.
Oh dear Oh-h!
'Don't mamma dear! pray don't"'
cntreated Maud, as the poor lady, over
whelmed by her own picture, showed
signs of becoming hysterical, and utter
ed several small screams. Upon this,
the occupant of the next room, who
hitherto had given no signs of life, be-
gan to knock upon the door between
the two chambers. Maud drew near
and the following conversation took
place.
Miss EstabroOk!'
Yes"
Excuse me, but is anything wrong?"
Maud hestated. Mrs EStabrook
meantime had checked herself, and was
holding her breath to listen. Receiving
no answer, she presently spoke again.
What is that noise / hear down
stairs?"
I'VE don't know" said Maud;
but"
But whatP Is that what Is alarming
you?"
Maud considered. I'VE are afraid
| it is "a burglar"
What! Another?" exclaimed the
stranger. Then he, checked himself.
Don't you think You d better send me
to dispose of him?" he suggested, with
an admirable assumption of the bold
ness of innocence.
"Maud?" sharply protested Mrs.
Estabrook.
Zone moment, mamma" rejoined
her daughter, 81 am not sure" She
turned to the door again. "You are
quite certain he is not an-an-an as
sistant of yoursP" she asked, in the
politest terms she could select.
''Let me out, and you shall see Upon
my honor" Here the words were
lost in a stifed sound.
'Is the man laughingp" demanded
Mrs. Estabrook, in angry amaze, then,
as new suspicion entered her mind.
MAUD, do you believe he is exactly in
his right mind?"
Il don't think he can be-" Maud
answered, doubtfully; but seeing her
mothers growing alarm, she hastened
to add, "but we evidently have a GER
tain control over him, and-really,
mamma, don't know but it would be
better to let him drive the other away.
No, but hear me out. They can't be
accomplices, and if we must be in the
power of either, why, / would much
sooner trust this one. He is far supe-
rior to ordinary burglars concluded
Maud with fine air of como sseur-
ship in this particular branch of the
dangerous classes.
aI Her opinion, as usual, prevailed, and
their prisoner was informed that if he
would not move until given time he
should be- released. AS he readily
agreed to the conditions, the girl stole
out into the passage, turned the key
very softly, and then flew backinto her
own room, which she locked in hot
haste. Here she knocked on the inner
door. and at the appointed sign heard
the Young man dash through the cor
ridor and down stairs. There was a
sound of rafting glass, an altereatlon
of voices, a pistol shot, and then brief
period of suspense, during which the
hearts of the two women stood still.
Then steps returned along the passage,